Date:
August 30, 2007
Contact:
Tom Swan
Telephone:
(860) 233-2181
Body:
Connecticut's oldest and largest social justice group, the CT Citizen Action Group (CCAG), announced today it is endorsing Rep. Chris Caruso for Mayor of Bridgeport. CCAG has 30,000 member families statewide and it has been a leading voice fighting corruption in Connecticut.
"In politics one of the hardest things to do is to admit you're wrong," said Tom Swan, Executive Director of CCAG. "When we endorsed Chris Caruso"s opponent in the past we questioned Chris's ability to get things done, we were wrong. Caruso stood up to the corruption in the Rowland administration at a time when others were hesitant and proved he's a man of principle."
Swan continued, "Chris not only spoke out against corruption, he got things done. Without Chris's leadership Connecticut would not have passed nearly as strong of a package of post Rowland reforms, particularly the nation's strongest campaign finance reforms for state races."
Bridgeport resident and CCAG Board member Max Medina voted to have CCAG endorse Caruso. "I'm proud CCAG is once again standing up for real change in Bridgeport by endorsing Caruso's run for mayor."
The final straw for the CCAG Board was when Bill Finch sided with the energy interests over consumers and voted for an energy bill that will only drive up consumers' costs and that Representative Caruso valiantly opposed. Connecticut electric ratepayers are already paying the second highest rates in the country and Bill Finch's pork filled bill will only increase these costs.
"There was not a clearer consumer issue considered in the 2007 legislative session and Chris Caruso sided with consumers - Bill Finch sided with lobbyists," said Swan. "Bridgeport needs a mayor that will be on it's side and not on the side of lobbying interests, the energy vote makes it clear that Caruso is on our side and Sen. Finch is too cozy with special interests."
